Beipanjiang bridge in southern China is the highest bridge in the world, allowing you to drive almost 2,000 feet over the turbulent Beipan River below. Construction on the innovative project took three years and cost a whopping $147 million. Million-dollar research grants on how to create the highest bridge in the world helped launch construction, which would end up making this bridge, also known as the Duge bridge, higher than even the Millau Viaduct in France– which thanks to its towers is technically taller, but not higher off of the ground than China\u2019s engineering marvel.<\/p>\n
The creation of the Beipanjiang bridge completely changed travel in China\u2019s Guizhou province, which is known for all the tall bridges that have to be made to navigate the rocky and often treacherous terrain. The bridge was even more effective than China\u2019s high-speed rail in the area– it cut time crossing the valley from 3 hours to just 5 minutes. China actually has a reputation for tall bridges– it has the most tall bridges in the world with more than 250 bridges over 100 meters high. One of these is the Sidu River Bridge, which held the record for highest bridge before the Duge bridge was built. So, was the Beipanjiang bridge a worthwhile undertaking? Is there more than just its height that makes it so impressive? And just how far ahead of the rest of the world is China when it comes to super-tall bridges? You\u2019ll have to click play and find out!<\/p>\n